Air decontamination system

ABSTRACT

An air decontamination system that cleans air which has been contaminated by a terrorist attack or other means of contamination. The air is drawn into the system, cleaned through the use of filters, and exits the system into an enclosed area where people have gathered to await passage of the danger. The unit is easily turned on and off via a switch.

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. Ser.No. 10/875,639, entitled AIR DECONTAMINATION SYSTEM, filed Jun. 23,2004, which claims priority to U.S. Ser. No. 60/480,613, entitled AIRPURIFICATION SYSTEM, filed Jun. 23, 2003, which are incorporated hereinby reference.

I. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A. Field of Invnetion

This invention pertains to the art of methods and apparatuses forfiltering, cleaning and purifying air that may have become contaminateddue to airborne toxic particulates and specifically, toxic particulatesthat may originate from a nuclear, biological, chemical or terroristattack.

B. Description of the Related Art

In recent months since the events of Sep. 11, 2001, there has beenincreased interest developing tools that will reliably protect peoplefrom the after affects of further terrorist attacks.

As a result of attacks around the world, the sense of vulnerability hasbeen heightened. Attacks may come unexpectedly, thus leaving people toscramble for a safe haven. Most recently the threats from biological,chemical, nerve gas and radioactive toxins (comprised of particulates inthe 0.3 micron range) have become a real danger. These agents have beenwidely produced in the past and have been used to carry out countlessdevastating attacks on groups of people. The present invention relatesto apparatuses and methods for providing a safe harbor in a buildinghaving an opening, wherein the safe harbor is provided with sufficientpurified, decontaminated air to provide a positive pressure system,thereby reducing the risk of contaminants entering into the safe harbor.

It is known in the art for home air filtration systems to be providedduring emergency situations involving biological, chemical, nerve orradioactive agents and or particulates. One form of protection isoffered in the use of duct tape and plastic sheeting to cover windowsand doors to eliminate external outside contaminated air from enteringthe home. Covering windows with plastic and duct tape, however, iscumbersome and requires a considerable amount of time and energy. Timemay not be available if an attack or release of contaminants isunexpected. Windows and doors covered in this fashion are also unsightlyand there is much waste generated from this form of protection. It isalso known in the art to use gas masks to protect individuals fromcontaminated air. While gas masks generally work well for their intendedpurpose, they are burdensome to wear and can only protect one individualat a time. The use of gas masks and plastic sheeting also has thepossibility of creating panic in the general public and may result inlow levels of safety for the general public.

The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for protectingmultiple individuals within any type of dwelling or living space,including houses, office buildings and other enclosures.

II. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention may be installed within an existing opening, suchas a window or air conditioner cut out, thereby providing an airdecontamination system that is ready during any emergency situation. Theunit is practical for every citizen in any type of dwelling to protectthemselves and their family from many types of threats. The difficultiesinherent in the art are therefore overcome in a way that is simple andefficient, while providing better and more advantageous results.

According to one aspect of the invention, an air decontaminationapparatus for use in moving filtered air into an associated enclosedspace, the enclosed space having an opening, the apparatus having ahousing enclosing an air filtration compartment, wherein the airfiltration compartment may have an outlet and an inlet; having at leasta first air decontamination filter received within the air filtrationcompartment, the at least a first air decontamination filter beingoperatively positioned between the outlet and inlet, wherein the airfiltration compartment may be positioned outside the associated enclosedspace at the opening; having an air mover operatively communicated tothe air filtration compartment for use moving air through the at least afirst air decontamination filter; and having a power supply for use inproviding power to drive the air mover.

According to another aspect of the invention, the air decontaminationapparatus may have an at least a first air decontamination filter thatis removably received within the air filtration compartment.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the air decontaminationapparatus may include at least a second air decontamination filterreceived within the air filtration compartment, wherein the at least asecond air decontamination filter may remove substantially a differentcontaminant with respect to the at least a first air decontaminationfilter.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the airdecontamination apparatus may have an at least a first airdecontamination filter selected from the group consisting of HEPAfilter, charcoal filter, biological agent filter, chemical agent filterand radioactive agent filter.

According to another aspect of the invention the air decontaminationapparatus may include a first inlet seal operatively juxtaposed to theinlet and a first outlet seal operatively juxtaposed to the outlet.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the housing mayinclude an operations compartment having a bulkhead, wherein thebulkhead may include an air flow passage and wherein the bulkhead may bepositioned within the opening of the associated enclosed space andwherein the operations compartment may be positioned inside theassociated enclosed space at the opening; and wherein the air filtrationcompartment may be detachably connected with respect to the bulkhead.

According to a further aspect of the invention the air filtrationcompartment may be disposable.

According to a further aspect of the invention the air decontaminationapparatus may include a backup power supply operatively communicatedwith the air mover and an activation switch for activating the airdecontamination apparatus.

According to another aspect of the invention, the activation switch maybe a wireless activation switch.

According to a another aspect of the invention, the air decontaminationapparatus may include an air heating element for use in heating theassociated filtered air, the air heating element being operativelyreceived within the air decontamination apparatus.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the air decontaminationapparatus may include an air cooling element for use in cooling theassociated filtered air, the air cooling element being operativelyreceived within the air decontamination apparatus.

According to a another aspect of the invention a method of creating acontaminant free enclosed space is provided, the steps of which mayinclude providing an associated enclosed space for use in housingassociated people, wherein the enclosed space may have an opening formedwithin the walls of the enclosed space; providing an air decontaminationapparatus which may include a housing having an air filtrationcompartment, wherein the air filtration compartment may have an outletand an inlet, at least a first air decontamination filter receivedwithin the air filtration compartment, the at least a first airdecontamination filter being operatively positioned between the outletand inlet, an air mover operatively communicated to the air filtrationcompartment for use moving air through the at least a first airdecontamination filter; and, a power supply for use in providing powerto drive the air mover; selectively installing the air decontaminationapparatus within the opening of the associated enclosed space;activating the air decontamination apparatus, and producing sufficientair flow from the air decontamination apparatus to provide positivepressure air flow within the associated enclosed space to preventinfiltration of contaminated air into the associated enclosed space fromthe exterior of the associated enclosed space.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the step of selectivelyinstalling the air decontamination apparatus within the opening of theassociated enclosed space may include the step of selectively installingthe air decontamination apparatus within the opening of the associatedenclosed space wherein the air filtration compartment is positionedexterior to the associated enclosed space.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the step ofselectively installing the air decontamination apparatus within theopening of the associated enclosed space wherein the air filtrationcompartment is positioned exterior to the associated enclosed space mayinclude the step of selectively installing the air decontaminationapparatus within the opening of the associated enclosed space whereinthe air filtration compartment is positioned exterior to the associatedenclosed space and wherein the air mover is positioned interior to theassociated enclosed space.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the step of providingan air decontamination apparatus may further include providing aselectively variable activation switch for use in varying the air flowoutput from the air mover, and the step may further comprise varying theair flow output of the air decontamination apparatus respective to thevolume of the associated enclosed space.

According to another aspect of the invention, the step of activating theair decontamination apparatus may comprise the step of remotelyactivating the air decontamination apparatus.

According to another aspect of the invention, the step of remotelyactivating the air decontamination apparatus may comprise the step ofwirelessly remotely activating the air decontamination apparatus.

According to another aspect of the invention, the step of providing anair decontamination apparatus, may further include providing anactivation switch for use in activating the air decontaminationapparatus, and a sensor for use in automatically detecting at least afirst contaminant, wherein the sensor is operatively communicated to theactivation switch; and, may additionally include the step ofautomatically activating the air decontamination apparatus.

III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement ofparts, a preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail inthis specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings whichform a part hereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the air unit.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the assembled airpurification unit.

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of one embodiment of the assembledair decontamination unit.

FIG. 4 is a perspective and side view of one embodiment of the airdecontamination unit installed in a window showing the path of airflow.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the inventive air purification unit.

FIG. 6 is a view of the air decontamination unit taken along SectionLine A-A of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the air decontamination unit.

IV. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes ofillustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only and not forpurposes of limiting the same, FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of the airdecontamination unit shown generally at 40. The air decontaminationsunit 40 may be a stand alone unit that provides continuous airdecontamination. The term “stand alone unit” refers to a unit that isself-contained and that may independently operate without requiringexternal devices or components, such as air intake hoses. The airdecontamination unit 40 may be a stand alone unit even though thefilters 2-6 (discussed below) may be removable or replaceable.

The air decontamination unit 40 has an air filtration compartment 42 andmay also have an air mover 5 (discussed below). The air decontaminationunit 40 may also have an operations compartment 10. The operationscompartment 10 will be discussed in detail below.

With continued reference to FIG. 1 and as shown in FIG. 5, the airfiltration compartment 42 of the air decontamination unit 40 may consistof a housing 9. In one embodiment, the housing 9 may have an inlet 22that allows sufficient air to enter into the housing 9. The term“sufficient” means a volume of air that is capable of producing positivepressure in the associated enclosed space when the air decontaminationunit 40 is being operated. The inlet 22 may be a single opening or itmay be a series of openings, such as in a grate. The inlet 22 may be anyopening or combination of openings that allows sufficient air to enterthe housing 9. The housing 9 may also have an outlet 23 for allowing airto flow from the housing into the associated enclosed space. The outlet23 may be a single opening or it may be a series of openings, such as ina grate. The outlet 23 may be any opening or combination of openingsthat allows sufficient air to exit the housing 9.

The air filtration compartment 42 is adapted to receive an airdecontamination filter 2. The air decontamination filter 2 may bereceived with respect to the housing 9 between the inlet 22 and theoutlet 23. In one embodiment, the air decontamination filter 2 may befully contained within the housing 9. In an alternate embodiment, theair decontamination filter 2 may extend beyond at least one wall of thehousing 9. The air decontamination filter 2 may be fixedly received withrespect to the housing 9. In an alternate embodiment, the airdecontamination filter 2 may by removably received with respect to thehousing 9. In this way, air decontamination filter 2 may be removed andreplaced with another filter.

In one embodiment, the air filtration compartment 42 may be adapted toreceive a plurality of filters 3-6. Each of the plurality of filters 3-6may remove substantially a different contaminant from the air. Each ofthe plurality of filter 3-6 may remove substantially the samecontaminant, but filter out different sized contaminants. In analternate embodiment the plurality of filters 3-6 may be selected tofilter out specific combinations of contaminants. The plurality offilters 3-6 may be selected to provide the ability to remove specificcontaminants that are likely to be present in the air due to thesurrounding landscape, business facilities or potential terroristtargets. It should be understood that any number of filters 2-6 and anycombination of filters may be used as chosen with sound engineeringjudgment. The filters 2-6 may be charcoal filters, or high-efficiencyparticulate air (“HEPA”) filters or any other type of filter that willfilter out toxic contaminants, including contaminant agents that arebiological or chemical in nature, such as anthrax, hydrogen cyanide,asbestos and sarin gas, or radioactive, such as radioactive agents thatmight be released as a result of a “dirty bomb”.

As shown in FIG. 4, the air filtration compartment 42 may be positionedoutside the associated enclosed space at an opening in the enclosedspace. The opening may be an existing window opening or an openingvacated by a window-type air conditioning unit. The opening may also beadded to the enclosed space for the air filtration compartment to bereceived 42. In one embodiment, the opening may extend to the exteriorof the building containing the enclosed space. In an alternateembodiment, the opening may extend into another interior space in theassociated building containing the enclosed space. The openingpreferably extends into an area that has sufficient air that can bedrawn into the inlet 22 of the air filtration compartment 42.

As indicated above, the air filtration compartment 42 may be positionedoutside the enclosed space at an opening in the enclosed space. Thisembodiment is preferable because it keeps the inlet 22 and the filters2-6 outside the enclosed space. In an alternate embodiment, at least aportion of the air filtration compartment 42 may extend inside theenclosed space. In this embodiment, the inlet 22 may remain outside theenclosed space so as to provide an inlet for air from outside theenclosed space; however, the filters 2-6 may be inside or partiallyinside the enclosed space or, alternatively, the inlet 22 and filters2-6 may remain outside the enclosed space while the outlet remainsinside the enclosed space.

As shown in FIG. 5, the air filtration compartment 42 may include acover 4 positioned with respect to the inlet to substantially preventrain, snow, and other debris from entering into the inlet 22 andpotentially clogging the inlet or damaging the filters 2-6.

As shown in FIGS. 5-7, the air filtration compartment 42 may include aninlet seal 16. The inlet seal 16 may be juxtaposed to the inlet 22. Theinlet seal 16 may provide an air tight seal to prevent air from passingthrough the inlet 22 into the filters 2-6. The inlet seal 16 may alsohelp to protect the interior of the air filtration compartment 42 fromdebris and weather such as snow or rain. The inlet seal 16 may be aplastic seal that fits over the inlet 22. In an alternate embodiment,the first inlet seal 16 may be a plate that covers the inlet 22. Theinlet seal 16 may be metal or rubber or plastic or any material selectedwith sound engineering judgment. The inlet seal 16 in combination withan outlet seal 15 (discussed below and shown in FIG. 7) may provide anairtight region around the filters 2-6, which may extend the life of thefilters 2-6, especially where one or more of the filters 2-6 is acharcoal filter. When the air decontamination unit 40 is not in use, theinlet seal 16 and outlet seal 15 may be in the closed or sealedposition.

With continued reference to FIGS. 5-7, the air filtration compartment 42may include a outlet seal 15. The outlet seal 15 may be operativelyjuxtaposed to the outlet 23. The outlet seal 15 may provide an air tightseal to prevent air from passing through the outlet 23 into the filters2-6. The outlet seal 15 may also help to protect the interior of the airfiltration compartment 42 from debris that might exist in the enclosedspace. The outlet seal 15 may be a plastic seal that fits over theoutlet 23. In an alternate embodiment, the outlet seal 15 may be a platethat covers the outlet 23. The outlet seal 15 may be metal or rubber orplastic. The outlet seal 15 may be any shape or material selected withsound engineering judgment.

The inlet seal 16 and the outlet seal 15 may need to be unsealed inorder to operate the air decontamination unit 40. The inlet seal 16 andoutlet seal 15 may be manually unsealed or mechanically unsealed. Theinlet seal 16 and the outlet seal 15 may be unsealed manually by theassociated operator tearing them or removing them or mechanically, bythe associated operator pulling a lever that is operatively connected tothe inlet and outlet seals (16, 15) or activating a motor (not shown)that unseals the inlet and outlet seals (16, 15). In this latterembodiment, the motor may be operatively connected to the inlet andoutlet seals (16, 15) through a pivot arm or other appendage. Uponactivation of the motor the pivot arm may swing the inlet and outletseals (16, 15) open. The inlet seal 16 and the outlet seal 15 may beunsealed by any means selected with sound engineering judgment.

As shown in FIG. 5, the air decontamination unit may be provided with abulkhead 1. The bulkhead 1 may be a wall of the air filtrationcompartment 42. The bulkhead may be a wall of the operations compartment44. The bulkhead 1 may be a joint wall between the air filtrationcompartment 42 and the operations compartment 44. The bulkhead 1 may bea separate component from the air filtration compartment 42 and theoperations compartment 44. The bulkhead 1 may be placed inside theopening of the enclosed space. The bulkhead 1 may substantially extendfrom one edge of the opening to the other edge and from the top of theopening to the bottom of the opening in order to provide a substantiallyair tight seal between the opening and the edges of the bulkhead 1. Inone embodiment, the bulkhead 1 may be provided with a bulkhead seal 8that may be placed between the opening and the edges of the bulkhead 1.The bulkhead seal 8 may be rubber or plastic or any other materialselected with sound engineering judgment. Spacers, gaskets, packing,o-rings, or any other type of material that creates an air-tight sealmay be used as chosen with sound engineering judgment. The bulkhead 1may also be provided with attaching means for attaching the bulkhead 1within the opening. The bulkhead 1 may be adjustable to fit withindifferent sized or shaped openings. In one embodiment, the bulkhead 1may have wings 25 that adjustably extend from the edges of the bulkhead1 to extend or contract the area of the bulkhead 1. it is noted that inpractical application, there may be gaps between the bullhead 1 and theopening, such as where there is a leak in the seal. It is contemplatedthat the air decontamination unit 40 may produce sufficient purified airinto the enclosed space to create a positive pressure environment so theair will be forced out through the gaps after the air decontaminationunit 40 is activated.

The bulkhead 1 may be provided with an airflow passage 26. The airflowpassage 26 may be adapted to receive the outlet 23. The airflow passage26 may be the same as the outlet 23. The airflow passage 26 may be ofany size which permits sufficient air to flow through the outlet 23 intothe enclosed space. In one embodiment, the only air that passes throughthe airflow passage 26 is air that has previously passed through thefilters 2-6. Surrounding the airflow passage 26 between the bulkhead 1and the air filtration compartment 42, there may be an airflow passageseal 3 which creates an airtight region around the air flow passage 26to prevent air from leaking into the airflow passage 26 through a gapbetween the bulkhead 1 and the air filtrations compartment 42. The firstoutlet seal 15 may, in an alternate embodiment, be juxtaposed adjacentthe airflow passage 26.

The air filtration compartment 42 may be permanently connected to thebulkhead 1 so that the outlet 15 and the airflow passage 26 aresubstantially aligned alternatively. The air filtration compartment 42may be detachably connected to the bulkhead 1. In this embodiment, theair filtration compartment 42 may be removed from the bulkhead 1 anddisposed of. In this manner, the filters 2-6 may be disposed ofseparately.

As shown in FIG. 1, the air decontamination unit 40 may have an airmover 5. The air mover 5 may be a fan or a blower. The air mover 5 maybe any apparatus that is capable of moving sufficient air through theair flow passage 26. The air mover 5 may draw air into the airdecontamination unit 40 through the inlet 16 and out the air flowpassage 26. Alternatively, the air mover 5 may push air through the airdecontamination unit 40 and out the air flow passage 26. The air mover 5may be located adjacent the inlet 16 or outlet 15 on the exterior of theenclosed space or the air mover 5 may be located on the interior of theenclosed space adjacent the airflow passage 26. The air mover 5 may belocated adjacent any component of the air decontamination unit 40 wherethe air mover 5 can move sufficient air through the inlet 16, thenthrough the filters 2-6, then through the outlet 15 and then through theair flow passage 26 into the enclosed space. The air mover 5 may beoperatively communicated to an activation switch 13 for turning on theair mover 5. The activation switch 13 may be a variably adjustableactivation switch 13 for selectively varying the amount of air drawn orblown by the air mover 5. The variably adjustable activation switch 13may vary the speed of the air move 5. The activation switch 13 may be awireless activation switch. In one embodiment, the wireless activationswitch may be activated wirelessly by a phone or pager system. In analternated embodiment, the wireless activation switch may be activatedby a signal emanating from the federal, state or local authorities viaradio or television signal or other emergency signal.

The activation switch 13 may be operatively communicated with the inletseal 16 and outlet seal 15. In this way, when the activation switch 13is activated, the activation switch 13 may communicate with the motorthat unseals the inlet seal 16 and outlet seal 15.

The air decontamination unit 40 may be powered by a power supply 7,which may be an AC power supply. The air decontamination unit 40 mayhave a back-up power supply 6 to supply power to the air decontaminationunit 40 in the event that the power supply 7 is lost. The back-up powersupply 6 may be a battery. The back-up power supply 6 may be a generatoror any other supply of power selected with sound engineering judgment.The power supply 7 and the backup power supply 6 may be located in theoperations compartment 44.

As indicated above, the operations compartment 44 may house the powersupply 7 and the back-up power supply 6. In one embodiment, theoperations compartment 44 may house the activation switch 13. Theoperations compartment 44 may include a “Power On” display 18 thatnotifies the user when the air mover 5 is activated. The operationscompartment 44 may include a system “OK” display 19 that notifies theuser that the air decontamination unit 40 is functioning properly andthat there are no internal malfunctions. The operations compartment 44may include a “Hermetic seal open warning display” 17. The “Hermeticseal open warning display” 17 may notify the associated user when thereis a malfunction of the outlet seal 15, inlet seal 16, airflow passageseal 3 or bulkhead seal 8. It is particularly important thatmalfunctions of the outlet seal 15 or inlet seal 16 be detected when acharcoal filter is incorporated in the air filtration compartment 42 andthe airtight nature of the air filtration compartment 42 needs to bemaintained. The displays 17, 18 and 19 may be visual displays, such aslights or LCD displays. They may be audible displays or any combinationof audible and visual display selected with sound engineering judgment.The displays 17, 18, and 19 and the activation switch 13 may be locatedany where on the air decontamination unit 40 where accessible to theassociated user.

In reference to FIGS. 1-5, the air decontamination unit 40 may include acontaminant sensor 60. The contaminant sensor 60 may sense the presenceof contaminants outside the enclosed space or inside the enclosed spaceor both. The contaminant sensor 60 may be operatively communicated tothe activation switch 13. In this way, when the contaminant sensor 60senses a contaminant, the activation switch 13 may be activatedautomatically.

In one embodiment, the air decontamination unit 40 may include an airheating element 65 for use in heating the associated filtered air priorto the air entering the enclosed space. The air heating element 65 maybe electric heating element or a gas operated heating element. In thisembodiment, the air decontamination unit 40 may also include a heatexchanger 67 allowing exhaust gas to be removed from the room. The airdecontamination unit 40 may include an air cooling element 69 for use incooling the associated filtered air prior to the air entering theenclosed space.

With reference now to FIGS. 4-7, the method of use will be described. Inone embodiment, the air decontamination unit 40 may be mounted into anopening in the enclosed space. The air decontamination unit 40 may bepositioned with the bulkhead 1 within the opening. In an alternateembodiment, the bulkhead 1 may be placed flush to the interior orexterior wall of the opening. The air decontamination unit 40 may bepositioned so that the inlet 16 and air filtration compartment 42 islocated outside the enclosed space. The air decontamination unit 40 maybe affixed in the opening by any means selected with sound engineeringjudgment. On notification of an event, an event being any release of acontaminant, the air decontamination unit 40 may be activated by theactivation switch 13. The inlet and outlet seals (16, 15) may beunsealed. The air mover 5 may be activated, thereby powering the airmover 5 to draw or blow air through the air decontamination unit 40. Theairflow path will now be described. Contaminated air may be drawn orblown by the air mover 5 through the inlet 22. The contaminated air thenpasses through the filters 2-6. The air is decontaminated by the filtersand is now purified. The purified air passes through the outlet 23 andairflow passage 26. The purified air is then deposited into the enclosedspace. Sufficient purified air is deposited into the enclosed space toprovide a positive pressure in the enclosed space. In this way, purifiedair is allowed to escape out through all openings or gaps in theenclosed space. This prevents contaminated air from entering into theenclosed space through any such openings or gaps.

Once the danger of the event has passed and exterior air is safelybreathable, the air decontamination unit 40 may be turned off it alsomay be turned off automatically. The outlet seal 15 may be sealed toprevent dislodged contaminants from inadvertently passing through theoutlet 23 into the enclosed space while the filters 2-6 are beingdisposed of. The filters 2-6 may be discarded by removing them from theair filtration compartment 42. In this embodiment, replacement filtersmay be installed. In an alternate embodiment, the air filtrationcompartment 42 may be removed from the bulkhead 1 and disposed ofentirely. In this embodiment, a replacement air filtration compartmentmay be installed. The air decontamination unit 40 may include an autobagger that automatically moves the used filters 2-6 into a storage bagfor easy disposal.

The preferred embodiments have been described, hereinabove. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods mayincorporate changes and modifications without departing from the generalscope of this invention. It is intended to include all suchmodifications and alterations in so far as they come within the scope ofthe appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

1. An air decontamination apparatus for use in moving filtered air intoan associated enclosed space, the enclosed space having an opening, theapparatus comprising: a housing having an air filtration compartment,wherein the air filtration compartment has an outlet and an inlet; atleast a first air decontamination filter received within the airfiltration compartment, the at least a first air decontamination filterbeing operatively positioned between the outlet and inlet, an air moveroperatively communicated to the air filtration compartment for usemoving air through the at least a first air decontamination filter; apower supply for use in providing power to drive the air mover; and, anactivation switch for activating the air decontamination apparatus,wherein the activation switch is a remotely activated activation switch.2. An air decontamination apparatus for use in moving filtered air intoan associated enclosed space, the enclosed space having an opening, theapparatus comprising: a housing having an air filtration compartment,wherein the air filtration compartment has an outlet and an inlet; atleast a first air decontamination filter received within the airfiltration compartment, the at least a first air decontamination filterbeing operatively positioned between the outlet and inlet, an air moveroperatively communicated to the air filtration compartment for usemoving air through the at least a first air decontamination filter; apower supply for use in providing power to drive the air mover; anactivation switch for activating the air decontamination apparatus; and,an air temperature altering element for use in altering the temperatureof the associated filtered air, the air temperature altering elementbeing operatively received by the air decontamination apparatus.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 2, wherein the air temperature altering element is anair heating element for use in heating the associated filtered air. 4.The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the air temperature altering elementis an air cooling element for use in cooling the associated filteredair.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the activation switch foractivating the air decontamination apparatus is a remotely activatedactivation switch.
 6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the activationswitch for activating the air decontamination apparatus is a wirelessactivation switch.
 7. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising: acontaminant sensor for sensing contaminants, wherein the contaminantsensor is operatively communicated to the activation switch, and whereinthe contaminant senor activates the activation switch upon sensingcontaminants.
 8. An air decontamination apparatus for use in movingfiltered air into an associated enclosed space, the enclosed spacehaving an opening, the apparatus comprising: a housing having an airfiltration compartment, wherein the air filtration compartment has anoutlet and an inlet; at least a first air decontamination filterreceived within the air filtration compartment, the at least a first airdecontamination filter being operatively positioned between the outletand inlet, an air mover operatively communicated to the air filtrationcompartment for use moving air through the at least a first airdecontamination filter; a power supply for use in providing power todrive the air mover; a back-up power supply for use in providing back-uppower to drive the air mover; and an activation switch for activatingthe air decontamination apparatus.
 9. The air decontamination apparatusof claim 8, wherein the back-up power supply is a battery.
 10. The airdecontamination apparatus of claim 8, wherein the back-up power supplyis a generator.
 11. An air decontamination apparatus for use in movingfiltered air into an associated enclosed space, the enclosed spacehaving an opening, the apparatus comprising: a housing having an airfiltration compartment, wherein the air filtration compartment has anoutlet and an inlet; at least a first air decontamination filterreceived within the air filtration compartment, the at least a first airdecontamination filter being operatively positioned between the outletand inlet, an air mover operatively communicated to the air filtrationcompartment for use moving air through the at least a first airdecontamination filter; a power supply for use in providing power todrive the air mover; an activation switch for activating the airdecontamination apparatus, wherein the activation switch is a remotelyactivated activation switch; and a contaminant sensor for sensingcontaminants, wherein the contaminant sensor is operatively communicatedto the activation switch, and wherein the contaminant senor activatesthe activation switch upon sensing contaminants.